see all 50 states of the US (In the list below, states I’ve stepped foot in or driven through are crossed out. Those that are both crossed out and italicized are those where I’ve actually spent some meaningful time. I’m halfway done!)

11 thoughts on “I want to do this:”

For Michigan…..ride a bike around Mackinac Island in the summer time, eat some fudge and drink cherry wine in Traverse City, ride a dune buggy at the Sleeping Bear Dunes near Grand Haven. Beautiful areas!

I have so enjoyed reading your blog and admiring your photography. I noticed you haven’t been to Montana yet. I hope that when you make it here you take some time to not just drive through but to go to Glacier Park and stay a few days. If you want some beautiful breathtaking scenic shots you’ve just got to go there. The wildlife and the views are amazing, especially if you like to hike. Here are a couple of sites to maybe tempt you to come visit…http://www.nps.gov/glac/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm and http://www.nps.gov/glac/photosmultimedia/panoramas.htm. I like your list. I think I’ll have to make one of my own.

I just want to second ErinM’s suggestion for Michigan. I was born and raised in Traverse City (although I no longer live there) and it’s a beautiful area (with lots of places to take wonderful photographs!).

Sigh. I had a list.. a list that I started when I was 12.. I’m 47 now.. it was a handwritten list.. until 5 years ago.. I decided to make a copy of it and put the contents on my computer.. as a “just in case”.. then I got divorced.. the handwritten list was.. uhmmm.. lost. Ahhhh but I had my computer list and the picture of the list.. then came the last two months.. roof leak that turned into roof replacement (insurance didn’t cover), car wreck (insurance did cover), hot water heater blow up, $1500 vet bill, on and on… then I had a dream my hard drive crashed.. not one to ignore “signs” I immediately went out and bought a router/back up system (time capsule).. I knew it’d take a while to set up and I was going to do it that weekend.. then BOOM… hard drive crashed before the weekend arrived.. no warning.. no clue.. just the dream.. lost everything.. ev-ry-thing! the picture of my list.. the list with all my editorial comments.. did I mention I’d had it since I was 12???.. and things even more precious that I still can’t talk about… And here I am.. reading your blog.. and remembering… life is short.. too short sometimes… yes, I’m alone now.. but the best of life is not behind me, it’s in front of me.. So, I will start a new list.. and I will live outside.. but I will still remember. Thanks so much for the blog!! sigh.. Just what I needed… God knew..

You must come and spend time in NC. The coastlines and islands are wonderful, lots of lighthouses to photograph, then drive to the Smoky Mountains. Awesome, wonderful, breathtaking pictures can be phtographed there. We have the best of both worlds. Put it high on your US list.

Welcome to the Ivory Hut. No, it is not made of soap.

Looking for something?

Search for:

About me

I write, cook, play music, and make pictures. Not necessarily in that order. I was born and raised in the Philippines, and it shows. That means I eat rice with every meal, love my family like nobody's business, and firmly believe that avocados are best eaten with cream and sugar.

If you want to learn more about me, here are 43 things I'd like to do. Oh, and here's a little something about my name, in case you were wondering.

Filipino Chicken Adobo

Chicken adobo is the Filipino dish most people are familiar with. Here's my quick and easy version that requires minimal prep work and only one pan. Perfect for busy weeknights.

Nutella Chips (Oh Yeah)

Yes, I made my own chocolate chips. Nutella chocolate chips, to be exact. Then I made cookies. Lots of cookies.

Lost and Found

One summer night in 2010, our house burned to the ground and we lost everything we had. This is the story of what happened and how life and hope can always rise from ashes.

Subscribe to The Ivory Hut via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I promise to never ever spam you.